Social media plays a huge role in today’s restaurant industry. Savvy owners use it to promote their businesses, engage customers, and secure steady streams of online order revenue. The social media landscape is flexible and fast-paced, though, and adapting to new players in it is critical for staying competitive. Meta’s new social platform, Threads, is already becoming a hit with restaurateurs – and hungry customers. No matter what kind of eatery you run, Threads can be a major asset for restaurant and food truck owners across the country.
To help your restaurant or food truck succeed on Threads, Otter’s social media experts have created this detailed guide. Use it to understand the concept, motivations, and driving forces behind Threads and the platform’s pool of potential customers. By joining Threads early on, your restaurant will significantly boost its online credibility – and show eaters your eagerness to innovate.
What is Threads?
Threads is a new text-focused social media platform developed by Meta, who also own Facebook and Instagram. It was made primarily to compete with Twitter in the wake of the latter’s guideline changes and eventual rebrand. Users on Threads can post short written messages with the option to attach .GIFs, photos, and videos. They can also comment on messages that other users have posted, creating a publicly-viewable dialogue.
During the platform’s first month, Threads gained over 100 million new users, making it the fastest-growing social app ever made. This demographic is similar to Twitter’s, being a diverse group of consumers, advertisers, and content creators. Restaurant brands were some of the first Threads users, with chains like Wendy’s, Popeyes, and Taco Bell joining almost instantly.
What makes Threads different from other social media?
Threads has a variety of competitive advantages – all of which are key promotional tools for restaurant and food truck owners. The platform offers full integration with Instagram, letting users post photos and videos across both with ease. It also places a heavy emphasis on AI chatbots and content generation, streamlining the creation of new text and visual material. Additionally, as a mobile-first app, Threads is more accessible than most other social media channels, making it simple to learn.
Perhaps the most important aspect of Threads that separates it from other social media platforms is its emphasis on conversation. Much like Google Reviews, Threads posts and the comments on them are viewable by anyone – with or without a Threads account. This makes Threads an ideal platform for customer interaction, and for showcasing your restaurant’s branding to the world.
How can Threads benefit my restaurant?
First, the timeliness and popularity of Threads is directly related to its value for your business. By creating a Threads account for your restaurant or food truck today, you’ll give customers a new place to follow you. The platform’s high engagement rates will ensure that eaters pay particularly-close attention to what you post on the platform. Threads also offers critical security and content moderation features, keeping your information safe and in good company.
Most critically for restaurant and food truck owners is that Threads is an excellent platform for branded, organic content. Major brands are touting the app as the most effective promotional tool on the modern internet, keeping consumer interest high. The platform’s user base values authenticity and sincere interactions, giving your restaurant plenty of opportunity to grow an audience. Through Threads’ AI-powered content creation and upcoming brand marketing features, building and promoting new advertisements has never been easier!
How do I get my restaurant started on Threads?
The Threads signup process has been specifically designed by Meta to be as smooth, straightforward, and fast as possible. If your restaurant has an updated Instagram account, you’re already most of the way there! Here’s a step-by-step process:
- Go to your mobile device’s app store and search for Threads.
- Install the app, then open it.
- If your restaurant has an Instagram account, tap the Log in with Instagram button. You’ll be taken to the Instagram app to finish signing up, then back to Threads.
- If you don’t have an Instagram account, you’ll need to create one to continue. Download the Instagram app from your mobile device’s app store, sign up, then repeat step 3.
Fill in the requested information about your restaurant or food truck. Be sure to add in up-to-date hours, information, and links to online ordering in your bio.
Please note: While you can view Threads posts on desktop web browsers, the sign-up process is currently limited to mobile users.
That’s it! Once your business’s brand assets have been added to Threads, you can start posting and engaging with customers right away. If you want to make the most of this new platform, though, it’s important to ask yourself the following question…
What tips for Threads should I keep in mind?
100 million users is a lot of people – and a lot of competition. To rise above the crowd on Threads, your restaurant or food truck will need some powerful strategies. Here are the ones that Otter’s social media icons recommend:
#1: Be authentic
Threads users are clever, sharp-minded individuals that can spot a thinly-veiled marketing attempt when they see one. So don’t force your promotional content – encourage customers to order from you with engaging messages, photos, and videos. Maintain the same brand voice your restaurant or food truck uses in real life, and keep your reputation strong.
#2: Be social
Engage your eaters with conversation, and they’ll engage you with orders! Threads has a detailed commenting system that your restaurant can use to encourage discussion among customers. Ask eaters to leave reviews, for example, and post effective responses to demonstrate how much you value their feedback.
#3: Be original
Many restaurant brands have tried to imitate what other companies have done online with little to show for it. Don’t let your restaurant or food truck be a follower – set a new trend with engaging, interesting content that only your business can create! Post photos of your restaurant’s aesthetic, highlight popular menu items, and guide your seasonal promotions by asking questions to your followers. Use your existing brand as a foundation to build fresh content upon, and take advantage of Threads’ promotional features.
#4: Be consistent
Have you visited an out-of-date website or social media page for a restaurant or food truck? It doesn’t inspire much confidence in a potential eater. That’s why posting content on Threads (or any other social channel) on a regular basis is critical for success. Customers want to see that you’re engaged, dedicated, and loyal to them. If they do, your restaurant will stay at the top of their minds.
#5: Be curious
Ask questions! Engage your customer base, keeping their perspective and motivations in mind. Consider: What would your unique audience find appealing? How can you speak directly to their niche? Can you use Threads to strengthen your business’s connection with other local restaurants? Topics like these are made for this platform, and help stoke interest in your brand.
Your restaurant is ready to go viral on Threads!
You now know what Threads is, why it’s different, and how it can benefit your restaurant or food truck. With the tips above, you also know the best ways of standing out on the platform, and how to keep eaters engaged. Use this information to become an advocate for your brand on Threads, and delight customers into ordering from you! Along with the right delivery promo solution, social media apps like Threads are your restaurant’s key to more customers and sales.
